chug

1 of 3

noun

: a dull explosive sound made by or as if by a laboring engine

chug

2 of 3

verb (1)

chugged; chugging

intransitive verb

: to move or go with or as if with chugs
a locomotive chugging along
wearily chug through the routine
chugger noun

chug

3 of 3

verb (2)

chugged; chugging

Examples of chug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After Trump administration job cuts, nearly half of the National Weather Service forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates -- twice that of just a decade ago -- as severe weather chugs across the nation's heartland, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025 After Trump administration job cuts, nearly half of National Weather Service forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates — twice that of just a decade ago — as severe weather chugs across the nation’s heartland, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. Seth Borenstein, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The triumphant melody chugs along, like the gears of industry, preparing the audience for an American Dream drama of valorous proportions. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025 That can leave your company stuck on a turntable while your competition chugs along uninterrupted. Walt Hearn, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for chug

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

1866, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1848, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chug was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chug. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

chug

1 of 2 noun
: a dull explosive sound made by or as if by a steam engine pulling a heavy load

chug

2 of 2 verb
chugged; chugging
: to move or go with chugs
a locomotive chugging along

More from Merriam-Webster on chug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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